Rep. Paul McMurtry

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation to reclaim a specific 6,925-square-foot parcel of land in West Roxbury, Boston, for public use. The property, currently owned by the state, is defined by its boundaries along Belgrade Avenue, West Roxbury Parkway, and the former New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad line. Once reclaimed, the land must be designated as open space dedicated to conservation or recreation, while the department retains the authority to maintain the surrounding embankments and slopes of the adjacent parkway.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates an agricultural healthy incentives program in Massachusetts that directly affects Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients. The program would allow these individuals to receive a matching benefit on their EBT cards when they purchase fresh, canned, dried, or frozen fruits and vegetables at participating vendors. The Department of Transitional Assistance, in partnership with the Department of Agricultural Resources and the Department of Public Health, would operate the program and set specific spending limits. This initiative aims to encourage healthier food choices among low-income families by providing financial incentives for buying produce.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens local food systems in Massachusetts by requiring the state emergency management agency to create plans that support agricultural and food production during supply chain disruptions. It establishes a full-time food system coordinator within the state council to oversee existing programs, track progress, and improve collaboration between different government departments. Additionally, the bill creates a non-enforcement circuit rider program to provide free on-site guidance to farmers about regulations and funding opportunities. These measures aim to improve resilience against food shortages and better support local producers through dedicated coordination and assistance.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to require telemarketers to disclose specific financial details when soliciting donations on behalf of charitable organizations. Specifically, it mandates that callers must inform potential donors what percentage of the raised funds will actually go to the charity versus administrative costs. The change directly affects individuals who make phone calls for fundraising purposes and the donors they contact. By adding this disclosure requirement, the legislation aims to increase transparency in charitable telemarketing without altering other existing regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation to study and propose plans for restoring and maintaining Stony Brook Reservation in Boston and Dedham. The required report must evaluate improvements to recreational facilities, the upkeep of existing state-owned land, and potential long-term expansions to increase public access. Once completed, the findings must be submitted to relevant legislative committees within 90 days of the bill's passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens penalties for crimes committed against banks and credit unions while also making it easier for victims to file lawsuits in convenient locations. It directly affects bank employees, customers, and financial institutions by increasing the minimum prison sentences for armed robberies at these establishments and adding harsher punishments for repeat offenders. The legislation also expands the courts where legal action can be taken regarding fraudulent checks, allowing cases to be heard where the crime occurred or where the bank's main office is located.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Massachusetts veterans who are currently working for a state retirement system to receive full credit for their previous government employment when calculating their retirement benefits. It ensures that time spent in prior public service counts toward retirement eligibility regardless of whether the current and previous employers belong to the same retirement system. The legislation removes restrictions that previously limited how much past government work could be credited based on the number of years a veteran had already served in their current role.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands line-of-duty injury benefits for public employees in Massachusetts to include those who suffer bodily harm from violence by civilians at correctional institutions or state public health and human services facilities. The change is made by amending Section 58 of Chapter 30 of the General Laws to add a specific provision covering these locations and types of incidents. As a result, public workers injured in these specific settings under these circumstances would now qualify for the same injury benefits as those already covered by the existing law.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies how military service credit is handled for Massachusetts public employees who wish to retire. It requires these employees to apply for and pay for their military service credit while they are still working, before their retirement benefits begin. The change aims to simplify the process by ensuring all necessary payments are made during active employment rather than after retirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to clarify who is responsible for damages caused by dogs. It states that a dog's owner or keeper must pay for injuries or property damage unless the victim was trespassing, abusing the dog, or was grossly negligent. The law also holds parents or guardians liable if the dog owner is a minor. This change aims to make the rules for dog bite compensation clearer and more consistent.